Sri Lankan government on Tuesday said the Sunday’s attacks on churches and hotels in the country were carried out in response to mass shooting against Muslims at Christchurch mosque in New Zealand.
Making a special statement in parliament, state defence minister Ruwan Wijewardena said, they have found information that this was in retaliation to the New Zealand attack and more investigations are being made.
Earlier, a leaked intelligence document had made reference to a member of local Islamist group making social media posts related to the New Zealand attack.
The minister said, Sri Lanka's National Thowheed Jama'at group, which was believed to have carried out the attacks, had close links with a group called JMI.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, Muslim people are against the extremists involved and they will not allow another war.
Mr. Wickremsinghe said, Sri Lanka has entered into an era of global terror networks with Easter bombings and is different from other conflicts the country had.
Meanwhile, Former President and leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa slammed the government for not taking action despite intelligence warnings. At least 321 people including 38 foreigners have died in the coordinated attacks on churches and hotels across the country.
Meanwhile, the situation remained tense with several rumours of explosives in capital Colombo. Security is tight and police is not taking any chance to identify suspicious objects and vehicles.
People have been advised to display their contact numbers while leaving their vehicles on the roadside. Government schools will remain closed for the week while universities are closed till further notice. (AIR NEWS)